apropos 1 of 3

adjective

ˌa-prə-ˈpō How to pronounce apropos (audio)
Definition of aproposnext
as in relevant
having to do with the matter at hand the actor announced to reporters that he would regard as apropos only questions about the movie and would ignore inquiries about his love life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

apropos

2 of 3

adverb

as in by the way
by way of interjection or digression I went up to New York last weekend; apropos, have you seen your New York cousins lately?

Synonyms & Similar Words

apropos

3 of 3

preposition

as in concerning
having to do with makes a number of telling observations apropos the current political situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word apropos different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of apropos are applicable, apposite, germane, material, pertinent, and relevant. While all these words mean "relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand," apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune.

the quip was apropos

When is applicable a more appropriate choice than apropos?

While the synonyms applicable and apropos are close in meaning, applicable suggests the fitness of bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular case.

the rule is not applicable in this case

Where would apposite be a reasonable alternative to apropos?

The synonyms apposite and apropos are sometimes interchangeable, but apposite suggests a felicitous relevance.

add an apposite quotation to the definition

When could germane be used to replace apropos?

Although the words germane and apropos have much in common, germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion.

a point not germane to the discussion

When is it sensible to use material instead of apropos?

While in some cases nearly identical to apropos, material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case.

facts material to the investigation

When would pertinent be a good substitute for apropos?

The words pertinent and apropos are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance.

a pertinent observation

When might relevant be a better fit than apropos?

In some situations, the words relevant and apropos are roughly equivalent. However, relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection.

found material relevant to her case

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of apropos
Adjective
All of them are exemplary for different reasons, but this fall Cellarius feels apropos. — Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025 To make the look seasonally apropos, put thought into color, pattern, and material; designs that incorporate warm-weather standbys like pastels, florals, and chiffon are always good ideas. — Alison Syrett Cleary, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026
Adverb
Surefire Market is located where Leah & Louise used to be, and that seems apropos. — Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026 And was Ozzy Osbourne showing up posthumously to give us/the (confused) kids one last scare rather apropos? — Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for apropos
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apropos
  1. relevant
  2. incidentally
  3. about
  4. applicable
  5. toward
  6. on
Adjective
  • Hiding assets Both parties should fully disclose their income, assets, debts and other relevant financial information.
    — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • The Federal Communications Commission has already changed the programming of one of television’s last remaining relevant daytime talk shows — before even making any formal demands.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of relevant
Adverb
  • Asymptomatic lesions discovered incidentally in populations could also be monitored en masse to generate a robust database that would help researchers learn which types of lesions are more (or less) likely to turn malignant.
    — Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • But Ghana kept possession, and Antoine Semenyo incidentally ended up blocking a subsequent shot from his own teammate.
    — Monica Alba, NBC news, 24 June 2026
Definition of incidentally
Preposition
  • There’s been a lot of discussion about HBO’s decision to hold House of the Dragon’s second season to eight episodes.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • There generally is no need to proceed with more intensive cardiac screening tests that people hear about for athletes at the professional or high-level collegiate sports level.
    — Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of about
Adjective
  • Substitutions Here’s how to substitute heavy cream for half-and-half (and vice versa) when applicable.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
  • These assets largely avoid current tax liability because capital gains are only triggered upon sale, a principle applicable to all crypto investors.
    — Shehan Chandrasekera, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of applicable
Preposition
  • In the 29th minute, Argentina sent a pass toward the net, and Messi beat the defense with an incredible first step.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 4 July 2026
  • Those technologies and others have been proven to save lives and prevent crashes, but more basic features like air bags, anti-lock brakes and automatic headlights go a long way toward keeping your young driver safe.
    — Chris Teague, AJC.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of toward
Preposition
  • Before the World Cup, Dioz provided employee uniforms for events including Super Bowl LIX and Copa America, which may have given it a leg up on the FIFA contact.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Fox News Digital has reached out to the University of Minnesota research team for comment on the matter.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of on

Phrases Containing apropos

Browse Nearby Words

a priori
apropos
apropos of
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Apropos.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apropos. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on apropos

Nglish: Translation of apropos for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All